View the Tijuana 1-1 Monterrey highlights here.
The second leg of the Xolos Tijuana vs Monterrey Liga MX quarterfinal playoff will be held on Sunday, November 18, 2012 (7:30 PM EDT) at the Estadio Caliente. Xolos of Tijuana won the first leg of this quarterfinal when they visited the Estadio Tecnologico during the week by a score of 1-0. On Sunday afternoon, Monterrey will attempt to win by two goals or by a goal if it is not a 1-0 score in order to qualify into the semifinals. You can view the Xolos Tijuana vs Monterrey 1-0 first leg highlights here.
The border team lead by Antonio Mohamed will look to sign their pass into the semifinals when they host Monterrey. Xolos has been nothing less than predictable all season long as they play a defensive scheme where they possess the ball. Regardless, this has allowed them to be on a 16 game streak without a loss, and they will look to extend that on Sunday.
Xolos was not brilliant on Wednesday when they faced Monterrey in the first leg, but a lucky deflection allowed the American winger, Greg Garza, to score the winning goal for a Tijuana team who had fewer shots than the fingers a person has on their hands. This advantage allows Xolos to go finish the series at home in front of its crowd, knowing that a tie is their ticket into the semifinals.
During the last game, Monterrey had clear possession of the ball, but they had no shots on target. This is a team that has great talent to do important things, but mentality is a bit off. They seem desperate at times, making sluggish passes and having lapses on miscommunication in the back field. Nonetheless, they have nothing to lose when they play Tijuana and this means they will play to attack and score goals on Sunday. They know they can beat Tijuana because they have the talent, and because they already did six months ago.
The individual players to watch for this match are Cirilo Saucedo for Xolos who will be key to defending the many shots Monterrey forwards will take. The goalkeeper has been phenomenal throughout the season, and on Sunday he has to prove once again what he is capable of. For the rayados, striker Humberto Suazo has the team’s pressure to score on the opportunities given to him. If he is on his night, Monterrey will eliminate Tijuana, otherwise they will begin to get ready for the club world cup tournament next month.
Xolos Tijuana vs Monterrey Prediction
Monterrey has all the pressure to go into the Caliente stadium to dominate, posses the ball, shoot on target, and win the match. However, this is no easy task for two reasons: first, Tijuana is on a 16 game streak without a loss, and second, Tijuana is undefeated at home. In other terms, this Xolos team has a very strong mentality therefore it will be no shock to see that they play with a strong defense and midfield. Xolos will bore those who are looking for goals, and the score will allow Tijuana to host a semifinals game. The final score of the Xolos Tijuana vs Monterrey second leg will be a 1-1 tie.
Xolos Tijuana vs Monterrey Television
The second leg of this quarterfinal match-up will be televised on Univision Deportes on Sunday, November 18, 2012 at 7:30 PM Eastern.
View the Tijuana 1-1 Monterrey highlights here.
